Curtain-fixture



(No Model.)

. I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. G. A. GRISSON. CURTAIN FIXTURE.

Patented Aug. 8, 1893.

FIGS.

' nwE/vrok BY WITNESSES:

UNITED STATES? PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. CRISSON, OF TARRYTOWN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JAMESN. DICKEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FIXTURE.

SPEGIFICA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,037, dated August8, 1893.

Application filed anuary 9 1 8 93.

To all whom itmayconcerfi: j Be it known that I, GEORGE A. Cmsson, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Tarrytown, Westchestercounty, State of Newv York, have invented an Improved Curtain- Fixture,of which the following is a specifica- 1011. My invention relates towindow curtain fiX-- tures, more particularly such as are intended foruse in railway cars, and the object of my invention is to construct asimple but elfect ive curtain fixture which will enable the curtain tobe raised orlowered to any position or height within the limits of thewindow frame. and to remain at any height to which it may be moved.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a face view or elevation of arailway car windowprovided with myimproved curtain fix-' ture, the frameor casing of the window being, shown in section. Fig. 2 is a section onthe line 12, Fig. 1, but drawn to a larger scale: Fig. 3 is a section onthe line 34, Fig. 1, also drawn to a larger scale, and with apart of z 5the frame on one side in section. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on theline 5-6, Fig. 2.; Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are views of modifications.

Referring to Fig. 1, A is the window-frame, and B the window, which ofcourse may both be of any suitable design or construction. The curtain Ois of fabric, leather or other. suitable material, and is wound upon aspring roller D, the construction of this spring roller being such as totend at all times to wind the curtain up on to the roller and thereforeraise the curtain to its highest position. To retain the curtain in anydesired position, while at the same time allowing of movement of thecurtain from one position to another when desired, I make use offrictional means to act against the pull of the spring roller.Frictional means have been used before for this purpose, but I believethat I have devised a simpler and more effective construction than thoseheretofore employed, and theimportant feature of my invention consistsin the combination with the lower end of the curtain of a rotaryfriction rod and means for causing that rod to rotate as the curtain israised or lowered.

In constructing my invention in its sim- Serial No. 457.772. (No model.)

plest form, I provide the, lower end of the curtain with a tube T, whichmay be of the material of the curtain itself, particularly if the latteris wholly or at that point, of leather, but I prefer to use a metaltube, as shown in the drawings set within a loop or tube on the lowerend of the curtain and forming a lining for the latter. Through thistube, whether formed with or without the metal lining, passes a rod R,preferably slightly smaller in diameter than the interior of the tube.The opposite ends of this rod R are provided with wheels W, which havesome form of gear connection with the window casing or frame, so thatas. 6 the curtain is raised or lowered, the rod will be caused toturn-within the tube in frictional contact with thelatter, and thefriction of this contact should be such as to overbalance the pull ofthe spring in all positions of the cur- 7o tain and so maintain thelatter in any position to which it may bemoved and yet permit of thecurtain being raised or lowered to overcome this friction by a slightpulling or lifting applied to the bottom of the curtain. I prefer toprovide in the side pieces of the frame or casing of the window,vertical grooves j E, in which the wheels W can travel and be more orless concealed, the rod being arranged to pass through and move in slotse opening 5 into the grooves in the side frame.

As a convenient and simple form of gear between the wheels and the frameI may use the friction gear shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. This consists ofa simple rubber tire on the periphery of each wheel W and arranged tobear against the frame along one edge of the groove E. The portion ofthe rod R which passes through the vertical slot e is arranged to bearagainst the opposite edge of that slot, 0

so as to keep the wheel at all times pressed with the rod R causes thelatter to rotate in a direction to rub up against the edge of the slot ein opposition to the longitudinal travel of the rod in the slot. Thisfriction consequently between the rod and one face of the slot, whichforms part of the frame, may be availed of to assist the frictionbetween the rod and the tube at the bottom of the curtain.

In Fig. 7 I have shown another form of gearing. In this case a cord F ofwire, chain or other material, fastened at the top and bottom of theframe, passes around the wheel V at each end of the rod R, the wheel Wbeing grooved to receive the cord, which as the curtain is raised orlowered will cause the rod to rotate, as will be readily understood.

In the construction so far described the friction between the rotatingrod R and the tube T at the bottom of the curtain is that which is duesimply to the contact of the body of the rod with the lower part of thetube within which the rod lies. If desired, however, springs may be madeuse of to obtain this frictional contact. In the constructionillustrated in Fig. 6, for instance, two forms of springs are found forobtaining the frictional contact. One consists of a spring 49 secured tothe rod R and bearing against the interior of the tube T. The otherspring frictional device consists of a spiral spring 3 bearing at oneend against a collar 3 secured to the rod R and at the other end againsta friction ring or disk t free to move longitudinally but not to turnupon the rod and bearing with frictional contact against a ring 5secured within the tube.

Other forms of frictional contact between the rotary rod R and thebottom of the curtain will readily suggest themselves to any mechanic,as will also other forms of gear between the rotary rod and window frameor casing. I therefore do not wish to confine myself to any specialdetails of construction in these particulars. It will also be understoodthat my invention is applicable to other uses than car windows.

I claim as my invention 1. The combination of a window-frame and curtainwith a rotary rod having a frictional connection with the curtain and agear connection of the rod with the frame to cause the said rod to turnas the curtain is raised or lowered, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a window-frame and curtain having a tube at itslower end, with a rotating rod passing through the tube in frictionalcontact therewith, and a gear connection between the frame and rotaryrod, to cause the latter to rotate within the tube as the curtain israised or lowered, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of a window-frame and curtain having a metal tube atits lower end, with a rod passing through the tube in frictional contacttherewith, and a gear connection between the rod and the frame to causethe rod to rotate as the curtain is raised or lowered, substantially asset forth.

4. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rodhaving a frictional connection with the curtain and having wheels at itsopposite ends geared to the frame to cause the said rod to turn as thecurtain is raised or lowered, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rodhaving frictional connection with the curtain and having friction wheelsat its opposite ends frictionally geared to the frame to cause the rodto rotate as the curtain is raised and lowered, all substantially as setforth.

6. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rodhaving frictional connection with the curtain and having wheels at itsopposite ends, the side pieces of the frame having slotted grooves inwhich the said wheels may travel in gear with the frame, substantiallyas set forth.

7. The combination of a window-frame and curtain with a rotary rodhaving frictional connection with the curtain and having wheels at itsopposite ends, the side pieces of the frame having vertically slottedgrooves in which the said wheels may travel, the rod bearing against oneface of each slot to keep the adjacent wheel in gear with the frame, allsubstantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. CRISSON.

Witnesses:

EDITH J. GRIswoLn, I'IUBERT IIOWSON.

